Paul Burrell takes an unwelcome trip down memory lane as he tackles his first trial on the upcoming I’m A Celebrity… South Africa.
The former royal butler, 64, mirrors his horrified expressions from 19 years ago while getting stuck into a challenge in the new All Stars series.
Taking up his position during Monday’s debut episode, Paul jokes: ‘How lovely for the first challenge to be putting my hand in a hole.’
The author – who first competed on I’m a Celeb in 2004 – and his fellow campmates suffer sinking rafts, marauding rats and terrifying ravines in the first installment.
Famous faces such as Carol Vorderman, Helen Flanagan and Shaun Ryder will return to the jungle on April 24.
Gasp: Paul Burrell takes an unwelcome trip down memory lane as he tackles his first trial on the upcoming I’m A Celebrity… South Africa (pictured, right, in 2004)
The show will begin on Monday 24 April and air for three weeks on weekdays, with the final week clashing with the Eurovision semi-finals on Tuesday May 9 and Thursday 11.
Posting on Twitter the ITV Press Centre wrote: ‘Confirmed: I’m A Celebrity…South Africa starts Monday 24 April at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.’
A host of stars featuring in the series have so far been revealed, including boxer Amir Khan, 36, former Coronation Street star Helen, 32, and television presenter Carol, 62.
They will be joined by the late Princess Diana’s former butler Paul, 64, Diversity dancer Jordan Banjo, 30, Happy Mondays star Shaun, 60, retired javelin thrower Fatima Whitbread, 62, and former English international cricketer Phil Tufnell, 56.
The Sun reports Gillian McKeith, 63, Dean Gaffney, 45, Joe Swash, 41, Andy Whyment, 42, Myleene Klass, 45, and Georgia Toffolo, 28, will be arriving in camp later on in the series.
The new series sees the return of some of the most memorable campmates from I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! in the brand new setting of South Africa.
The challenges will be bigger and tougher and the environment harsher and more unforgiving than the usual Australian jungle.
With no public vote, they will be competing against each other in a battle to become the first ever I’m A Celebrity Legend.
Funny: Taking up his position during Monday’s debut episode, Paul jokes: ‘How lovely for the first challenge to be putting my hand in a hole’
Good watch: The show will begin on Monday 24 April and air for three weeks on weekdays, with the final week clashing with the Eurovision semi-finals on Tuesday May 9 and Thursday 11
Throwback: The author first competed on I’m a Celeb in 2004
It follows reports Paul was left heartbroken after a crew member lost his wedding ring while he was filming the first ever I’m A Celebrity All Star series.
The former royal Butler was reportedly advised to take off the gold band, estimated to be worth £10,000, before taking part in a Bushtucker trial.
Paul, who worked beside and was a confidante of Diana, Princess of Wales, for ten years until her death in 1997, wept with joy as he married his ‘soulmate’ Graham Cooper in 2017.
The couple opted for gold wedding bands, but Paul’s went missing with the ITV crew unable to locate where it was after the trial came to an end.
A source told The Sun: ‘It was thought the ring had been put in the production office for safe keeping but was nowhere to be seen.
‘The production runner who lost the ring was crying.
‘He felt horrendous and went home as he couldn’t focus and felt he had let Paul down.’
ITV declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline. Paul’s representatives have been contacted for comment.
Annoying: It follows reports Paul was left heartbroken after a crew member lost his wedding ring while he was filming the first ever I’m A Celebrity All Star series (pictured with husband Graham)
Close friends: Paul worked beside and was a confidante of Diana, Princess of Wales, for ten years until her tragic death (pictured in 1997)
Paul was previously married to Maria Cosgrove, the mother of his two grown-up sons, but the pair announced their divorce in 2016 after living separately for years.
Speaking after his same-sex ceremony with Graham, Paul said: ‘Everything about the day has been perfect, made even more wonderful by the fact that my two sons were here to share in the occasion.
‘There’s no more hiding my unbridled happiness now. Life is about being true to who you are and, for the first time ever, I’m able to stand proudly beside my husband and say ‘This is who I am’.’
Paul revealed earlier this year that his appearance on I’m A Celebrity South Africa, led to his diagnosis of prostate cancer.
Talking about how he found out on the Lorraine show, Paul told how routine health tests which were taken prior to completing the show and his GP was concerned with the results.
After landing back to the UK from Kruger National Park in north-eastern South Africa, he underwent an MRI scan and had a biopsy and it was then he was told he would be battling the disease.
Paul was the runner-up of the fourth series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2004.
I’m A Celebrity… South Africa starts on Monday on ITV at 9pm.
Brave guy: The former royal butler was diagnosed with prostate cancer last summer and only found out after taking part in some routine health checks prior to entering the show
Star royalty: Paul is part of a line up of eight famous faces including Shaun Ryder (pictured middle) and Janice Dickinson (pictured right) who have all taken part in the challenge show)
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